Port of Iskenderun

This month, we will talk about the Port of Iskenderun, which was damaged by both an earthquake and a fire during the major disaster that struck our country.

The history of the Port of Iskenderun dates back to ancient times. It was used by the Seleucid Empire and the Romans.

During the Middle Ages, Iskenderun was affected by events such as the Arab invasions and the Crusades. During this period, the port was used as a trade center.

During the Ottoman Empire, Iskenderun was part of the Aleppo Province. The most significant development in the port’s history was the modernization process. The modernization of the port began in the final years of the Ottoman Empire. The port features a breakwater built in 1892, a railway line constructed in 1901, and a pier built in 1913.

With the establishment of the Republic, the strategic importance of the Port of Iskenderun was recognized, and efforts to modernize the port were intensified. By 1935, the modernization of the port was completed, and the Port of Iskenderun began to play an important role in international trade. In the early years, the port was primarily used for the transportation of minerals such as iron ore and coal.

Today, the Port of Iskenderun is one of Turkey’s largest ports. The port spans a vast area and serves as an important hub for international trade. Additionally, the port offers ship maintenance and repair services, loading and unloading operations, storage, and logistics services.